The agency is considering whether to object to the withdrawal of the libel suit by Shin Corp as it wants the court to rule on the case to test whether individuals can safely criticise the country’s leader.

After the CPMR meeting yesterday evening, secretary-general Supinya Klangnarong said she would like to hear the verdict on the Bt400-million libel lawsuit by Shin Corp against her and the Thai Post newspaper. “I will just sit tight and not do anything and wait until March 15,’’ Supinya said, adding that there will be no out-of-court settlement with Shin Corp, the firm she accused the administration of having a mutually beneficial relationship with. Until late last month, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s family owned Shin Corp.

Supinya admitted, however, that the board of the CPMR was divided as of late last night on how to deal with the statement delivered by a lawyer representing Shin Corp on Tuesday, which said that the firm wished to withdraw the controversial libel lawsuit.

Supinya said that some board members were of the opinion that it would be enough of a victory to simply let Shin Corp withdraw the lawsuit, while other board members said they wanted to see justice served on March 15 as they have growing confidence in the outcome.

Pravit Rojanapruk

The Nation